War on drugs facts for kids

The war on drugs is the policy of a global campaign aimed at reducing the illegal drug trade in the United States. The initiative includes a set of policies that are intended to discourage the production, distribution, and consumption of drugs that the participating governments, through United Nations treaties, have made illegal.

The term "war on drugs" was popularized by the media shortly after a press conference, given on June 17, 1971, during which President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse "public enemy number one".